Hat apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hat apparatus includes a head covering portion, a visor portion extending from the head covering portion in a visor projection direction, and a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment attached to the head covering portion and extending from the head covering portion in an attachment projection direction. The visor projection direction and the attachment projection direction are not the same direction. Preferably, the visor projection direction and the attachment projection direction are directions that are separated by 180 degrees. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment can be in a form of a plush animal. A first quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to the head covering portion, and a second quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment for attachment to the head covering portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hats and, moreparticularly, to hats that include a visor.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Hats that have a visor are well known in the art. Such hats mayalso be referred to as caps. A well known such cap is a baseball cap.With such a cap, the visor projects from the cap in a visor projectiondirection.

[0005] Caps very often include some form of ornamentation. Suchornamentation may be in the form of a team emblem. Such ornamentation ismost commonly placed on the front of the cap, above the visor. It isalso known that cap ornamentation may also be placed at the rear of thecap. Known cap ornamentation is relatively flat. That is, known capornamentation is substantially two dimensional.

[0006] With the present invention, a number of improvements overconventional caps are provided. Rather than providing merely twodimensional ornamentation, the present invention provides threedimensional ornamentation.

[0007] Moreover, with the present invention, the three dimensionalornamentation that is provided is simulative of articles or objects.

[0008] Caps with visors are most often worn in one of two ways. In thefirst way, the visor is located at the front of the wearer's head andfaces in the same direction as the face of the wearer. In the secondway, the visor is located at the rear of the wearer's head and faces ina direction opposite to the face of the wearer. The second way ofwearing the cap is often the way a catcher on a baseball team wears hiscap.

[0009] When the cap is worn in the second way, with the back of the capfacing forward and the front of the cap facing rearward, there is mostoften no ornamentation facing forward, since the back of a cap does notgenerally bear any ornamentation. Ornamentation that is placed above thevisor would be facing rearward when the cap is worn in the second way.To overcome this deficiency, it would be desirable if a cap wereprovided which included three dimensional ornamentation which facesforward when the cap is worn with the visor facing rearward.

[0010] Still other features would be desirable in a hat apparatus. Forexample, it would be desirable if a kit were provided which includes acap and a plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap. In thisrespect, it would be desirable if the interchangeable attachments couldbe attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material.

[0011] Thus, while the foregoing indicates it to be well known to usehats or caps with visors, the discussion above does not teach or suggestthat a conventional visor-containing hat apparatus has the followingcombination of desirable features: (1) includes three dimensionalornamentation; (2) provides ornamentation that is simulative of articlesor objects; (3) includes three dimensional ornamentation which facesforward when the cap is worn with the visor facing rearward; (4)provides a kit which includes a cap and a plurality of interchangeableattachments for the cap; and (5) provides that interchangeableattachments can be attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material. Theforegoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique hatapparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from thefollowing description thereof. Other advantages of the present inventionover the prior art also will be rendered evident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the presentinvention, briefly described, provides a hat apparatus which includes ahead covering portion, a visor portion extending from the head coveringportion in a visor projection direction, and a three dimensional,miniature, simulated article attachment attached to the head coveringportion and extending from the head covering portion in an attachmentprojection direction. The visor projection direction and the attachmentprojection direction are not the same direction. Preferably, the visorprojection direction and the attachment projection direction aredirections that are separated by 180 degrees. The three dimensional,miniature, simulated article attachment can be in a form of a plushanimal.

[0013] A first quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to thehead covering portion, and a second quantity of hook or loop materialcan be attached to the three dimensional, miniature, simulated articleattachment. The second quantity of hook or loop material engages thefirst quantity of hook or loop material when the three dimensional,miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to the head coveringportion.

[0014] Ordinarily, the head covering portion includes a plurality of hatpanels. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachmentis attached to the head covering portion, such that the threedimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment straddles two hatpanels.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a kitincludes a hat member which includes a head covering portion, a visorportion, and first attachment means. A plurality of interchangeablethree dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachments are alsoprovided. Each three dimensional, miniature, simulated articleattachment includes second attachment means for connection to the firstattachment means. The first attachment means include can include a firstquantity of hook or loop material, and the second attachment means caninclude a second quantity of hook or loop material.

[0016] The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the moreimportant features of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription thereof that follows may be better understood, and in orderthat the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated.There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will bedescribed hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of theclaims appended hereto.

[0017] In this respect, before explaining a preferred embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limitedin its application to the details of the construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

[0018] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as abasis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anew and improved hat apparatus which has all of the advantages of theprior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a newand improved hat apparatus which may be easily and efficientlymanufactured and marketed.

[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved hat apparatus which is of durable and reliableconstruction.

[0022] An even further object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved hat apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost ofmanufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and whichaccordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumingpublic, thereby making such hat apparatus available to the buyingpublic.

[0023] Still yet a further object of the present invention is to providea new and improved hat apparatus which includes three dimensionalornamentation.

[0024] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved hat apparatus that provides ornamentation that issimulative of articles or objects.

[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved hat apparatus which includes three dimensionalornamentation which faces forward when the cap is worn with the visorfacing rearward.

[0026] Even another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved hat apparatus that provides a kit which includes a cap anda plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap.

[0027] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved hat apparatus which provides that interchangeableattachments can be attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material.

[0028] These together with still other objects of the invention, alongwith the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will be better understood and the above objects aswell as objects other than those set forth above will become moreapparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof.Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

[0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of thehat apparatus of the invention which includes a three dimensional,miniature, simulated article attachment which is simulative of a koalabear.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a perspective of the embodiment of the invention shownin FIG. 1 being worn by a wearer in the first way, wherein the visorfaces forward with respect to the head of the wearer.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 1 being worn by the wearer in the second way, wherein thevisor faces rearward with respect to the head of the wearer.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a direct view of another variation of the invention,wherein the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachmentis simulative of a panda bear.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows a variation of the invention in which the threedimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is simulative of acat, such as a tiger, cheetah, or lioness, among others.

[0035]FIG. 6 shows a variation of the invention in which the threedimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is simulative of anelephant.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] With reference to the drawings, a new and improved hat apparatusembodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0038] Turning to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a preferred embodiment ofthe hat apparatus of the invention generally designated by referencenumeral 10. The hat apparatus 10 includes a head covering portion 12, avisor portion 14 extending from the head covering portion 12 in a visorprojection direction 18, and a three dimensional, miniature, simulatedarticle attachment 16 attached to the head covering portion 12 andextending from the head covering portion 12 in an attachment projectiondirection 20. The visor projection direction 18 and the attachmentprojection direction 20 are not the same direction. Preferably, thevisor projection direction 18 and the attachment projection direction 20are directions that are separated by 180 degrees. However, in general,the degree of separation of the visor projection direction 18 and theattachment projection direction 20 can be in a wide range.

[0039] The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16can be attached to the head covering portion 12 by being sewn or gluedthereto. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment16 can be in a form of a plush animal. A plush animal is a stuffedanimal whose outer fabric simulates fur. Generally, the threedimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 can also be inthe form of a simulated living thing such as a parrot or other bird, forexample. Alternatively, the three dimensional, miniature, simulatedarticle attachment 16 can be in form of a simulated non-living object,such as an automobile, a racing car, and a musical instrument, e. g. aguitar.

[0040] A first quantity of hook or loop material 22 can be attached tothe head covering portion 12, and a second quantity of hook or loopmaterial 24 can be attached to the three dimensional, miniature,simulated article attachment 16. The second quantity of hook or loopmaterial 24 engages the first quantity of hook or loop material 22 whenthe three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 isattached to the head covering portion 12. The first quantity of hook orloop material 22 and the second quantity of hook or loop material 24 canbe made from well known VELCRO(™) material.

[0041] Ordinarily, the head covering portion 12 includes a plurality ofhat panels 26. Also, ordinarily, the head covering portion 12 includessix hat panels 26. With such a head covering portion 12, the threedimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 is attached tothe head covering portion 12, such that the three dimensional,miniature, simulated article attachment 16 straddles two hat panels 26.With an embodiment of the invention employing a first quantity of hookor loop material 22 attached to the head covering portion 12, the firstquantity of hook or loop material 22 straddles two hat panels 26.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a kitincludes a hat member which includes a head covering portion 12, a visorportion 14, and first attachment means. A plurality of interchangeablethree dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachments 16 are alsoprovided. Each three dimensional, miniature, simulated articleattachment 16 includes second attachment means for connection to thefirst attachment means. The first attachment means includes can includea first quantity of hook or loop material 22, and the second attachmentmeans can include a second quantity of hook or loop material 24.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, with a first manner of use, the hat apparatus10 of the invention is worn by a wearer so that the visor portion 14 andthe face of the wearer both face in the same direction, which is forwardof the face of the wearer.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, with a second manner of use, the hatapparatus 10 of the invention is worn by a wearer so that the visorportion 14 extends out from the back of the wearer's head, and the threedimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 extends in theopposite direction, forward of the face of the wearer.

[0045] With both manners of use, the visor projection direction 18 andthe attachment projection direction 20 are separated by 180 degrees.That is, the visor portion 14 extends from the front of the headcovering portion 12, and the three dimensional, miniature, simulatedarticle attachment 16 extends from the back of the head covering portion12.

[0046] The components of the hat apparatus of the invention can be madefrom inexpensive and durable metal, plastic, and cloth materials.

[0047] As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention,the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, nofurther discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need beprovided.

[0048] It is apparent from the above that the present inventionaccomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a new andimproved hat apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in designand operation, and which advantageously includes three dimensionalornamentation. With the invention, a hat apparatus providesornamentation that is simulative of articles or objects. With theinvention, a hat apparatus is provided which includes three dimensionalornamentation which faces forward when the cap is worn with the visorfacing rearward. With the invention, a kit is provided which includes acap and a plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap. With theinvention, the interchangeable attachments can be attachable to the capusing VELCRO(™) material.

[0049] Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawingsand fully described above with particularity and detail in connectionwith what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferredembodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made withoutdeparting from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including,but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, functionand manner of operation, assembly and use.

[0050] Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should bedetermined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims soas to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationshipsequivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification.

[0051] Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexedAbstract is to enable the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office and thepublic generally, and especially the scientists, engineers andpractitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal termsor phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection thenature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention orthe application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:
 1. A hat apparatus, comprising: a head covering portion, a visor portion extending from said head covering portion in a visor projection direction, and a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment attached to said head covering portion and extending from said head covering portion in an attachment projection direction, wherein said visor projection direction and said attachment projection direction are not the same direction.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said visor projection direction and said attachment projection direction are directions that are separated by substantially 180 degrees.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is in a form of a plush animal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including: a first quantity of hook or loop material attached to said head covering portion, and a second quantity of hook or loop material attached to said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment, wherein said second quantity of hook or loop material engages said first quantity of hook or loop material when said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to said head covering portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said head covering portion includes a plurality of hat panels.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to said head covering portion, such that said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment straddles two hat panels.
 7. A kit, comprising: a hat member which includes a head covering portion, a visor portion, and first attachment means, and a plurality of interchangeable three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachments, each of which includes second attachment means for connection to said first attachment means.
 8. The kit of claim 7 wherein: said first attachment means includes a first quantity of hook or loop material, and said second attachment means includes a second quantity of hook or loop material. 